Apparatus for sizing a workpiece

Abstract

A sizing press has a pair of opposed rotatably supported pressing tools for reducing the width of a flat metal slab. Piston cylinder assemblies rotatably oscillate the pressing tools relative to each other. Each pressing tool has first and second slab-contacting surfaces which extend in different planes. The invented method of this invention includes the steps of moving the pressing tools toward each other against the sides of a metal workpiece and reducing the width of an initial workpiece length. Thereafter, rotating the pressing tools to further reduce the width of only a portion of the initial workpiece length and to reduce the width of an adjacent workpiece length.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sizing press for reducing a width dimension of a metal workpiece, said sizing press comprising: a. a pair of generally axially opposed pressing tools rotatably supported on said sizing press, each pressing tool including a first workpiece-contacting surface and an adjacent second workpiece-containing surface, said first surface and said second surface extending outwardly and rearwardly thereby positioning said first surface and said second surface in different planes;   b. an oscillating means supported on said sizing press and operatively connected with at least one of said pair of pressing tools for oscillating said opposed pressing tools toward and away from one another, said oscillating means includes at least two force transmitting piston cylinder assemblies, one of said two force transmitting piston cylinder assemblies engaging said pressing tools behind said first surface adjacent a first end thereof and a second of said two force transmitting piston cylinder assemblies engaging said pressing tool behind said second surface adjacent a second end thereof; and   c. at least one feed means positioned on said sizing press for successively feeding such workpiece between said pair of pressing tools during operation of said sizing press.   
     
     
       2. A sizing press, according to claim 1, wherein each of said pair of pressing tools is oscillated. 
     
     
       3. A sizing press, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one feed means is a pair of pinch rolls. 
     
     
       4. A sizing press, according to claim 1, wherein said sizing press includes a pair of feed means positioned adjacent an entry side and an exit side of said sizing press for feeding said workpiece between said pressing tools. 
     
     
       5. A sizing press, according to claim 4, wherein said pair of feed means are pinch rolls. 
     
     
       6. A sizing press, according to claim 7, wherein said sizing press further includes a process control system. 
     
     
       7. A sizing press, according to claim 6, wherein said process control system includes: a. a process control computer;   b. means for inputting predetermined critical data to said computer; and   c. means for outputting reference control signals from said computer to at least said at least two force transmitting assemblies and said at least one feed means.   
     
     
       8. A sizing press, according to claim 7, wherein said process control system further include means for providing feedback control signals. 
     
     
       9. A sizing press, according to claim 1, wherein said pressing tools are rotatably supported on said sizing press by a pin extending through an aperture formed intermediate each end of said pressing tools. 
     
     
       10. A sizing press, according to claim 1, wherein said pressing tools are rotatably supported on said sizing press by a ledge portion formed on said pressing tool which enables connection of said pressing tool to a rotatable tool holder positioned on said sizing press. 
     
     
       11. A sizing press, according to claim 10, wherein said connection of said pressing tools to said tool holder is accomplished by a plurality of bolts. 
     
     
       12. A sizing press, according to claim 1, wherein a surface on said pressing tool engaged by at least one of said two force transmitting assemblies is recessed. 
     
     
       13. A sizing press, according to claim 12, wherein both surfaces on said pressing tool engaged by said two force transmitting assemblies are recessed. 
     
     
       14. A sizing press, according to claim 1, wherein said pressing tools include a calipered profile and said pressing tools further include upper and lower prongs extending outwardly from said first surface and said second surface. 
     
     
       15. A sizing press, according to claim 1, wherein said sizing press further includes at least one workpiece support roll positioned on said sizing press intermediate said pair of press tools. 
     
     
       16. A sizing press, according to claim 15, wherein said pressing tools further include an undercut portion to accommodate said support roll. 
     
     
       17. A sizing press, according to claim 1, wherein said sizing press further includes a slidably support for said pressing tools. 
     
     
       18. A sizing press, according to claim 1, wherein said piston cylinder assemblies are operatively connected to and controlled by servovalves. 
     
     
       19. A sizing press according to claim 8, wherein said piston cylinder assemblies are operatively connected to and controlled by servovalves. 
     
     
       20. A sizing press, according to claim 19, wherein said servovalves are operative in response to said reference control signals and said feedback control signals.